ANSWERS TO CIRCULAR NO. 7. [87] 



5. First of June. 



6. In wet, low spots where the plant grows Inxuriaut, the plant being succulent, 

 soft, and pulpy. 



7. I believe that it is a peculiar parasite of the cotton plant, and as such that the 

 cryptic germ of the insect is to be found with the germ of the plant itself, and, like all 

 parasites, only requires favorable circumstances to develop it; a soft, pulpy, and lux- 

 uriant state of the plant, with cool and cloudy weathef at the time of its natural ad- 

 vent — that is to say, from early in June to middle of July — will cause it to develop 

 vigorously and bud rapidly, so as to produce seasons; whereas dry June and hot 

 weather, causing a hard, dry state of the leaves and mature condition of plants, fur- 

 nishing but little and poor food, will result in a poor .lud feeble brood, too inactive 

 ro do harm. This theory is borne out by the following facts : The Cotton Worm is 

 found everywhere on the globe where cotton is planted, and only found on the cotton 

 plant. The worm will starve if the cotton plant fails, though other vegetation 

 abounds. When the plant is pushed on so as to grow and mature rapidly, the leaves 

 being hard and dry in June, as was usual before the war, we hear nothing of the 

 worm ; but when cultivation is bad, the plant backward, and when June, the time of 

 its natural development, comes, the worm finds the cotton (as since the war) green, 

 sappy, and soft ; then does it rejoice in wholesome food, increase rapidly, multiply, and 

 make itself a scourge. 



I do not believe that the worm is migratory and returns to us from a warmer climate 

 every year, for it can be found every year in small niimbers if sought. I cannot admit 

 this view, as I have seen it 300 miles from the coast at an elevation of 1,500 feet, in 

 the northwestern corner of this Sjtate, in the month of June, and observed it there till 

 the fields in August were totally destroyed. How could I believe that it got there by 

 migration or was carried by currents of air ? Nor can I believe that it hibernates 

 around, as under old fences, on the south side of stumps, &c. ; as, first, our winters 

 are too severe to render such a supposition plausible ; and, again, since the late war, 

 no fences exist to give such shelter on the islands of our coast, where the worm most 

 prevails, and the universal fires that pass every fall over woodland and clearings 

 would efi:ectually destroy any moths or chrysalids. 



Therefore it is clear to my mind that it is a peculiar parasite of the cotton plant, 

 and the cryptic germ of the insect is to be found with the germ of the plant itself. 



Last year I made a very full report of this matter, and am sorry to learn that it was 

 made no use of, and probably consigned to the paper-mill without being read. 



8. Almost all birds, such as the mocking-bird and others, seem to be fond of the 

 worm. 



9. Paris green is the only thing that I have seen used, except fire-stands about the 

 field. The latter is useless, Paris green is good, and the only thing I know of that 

 will destroy them. 



10. I should sayVear fire-stands. • 



11. I don't know of any. 



12. Nothing. 



1.3. There has nothing been found better than the Paris green to destroy the worm. 



14. I have not. With care there is no danger to man or beast. 



15. Good cultivation. Push the plant early in the season. 



16. The cost of keeping a good man and paying and feeding good hoe-hand, and 

 this is the best means, and the cost is not very mnch. 



Jamestown, Alachua County, Florida, 



Sepiemler 16, 1879, 

 In answe'r to your circular questions, the following is respectfully submitted: 



3. The worm is most dreaded after mild winters. 



4. Much rain in June and Jtily seems to favor their development ; but the character 

 of the rains in those months in this section are short but frequent showers, with 

 bright sunshine between showers. The writer has come to the conclusion from some 

 observation that continued cloudy days are unfavorable to the development of the 

 worm, and these reasons are given : Continued cloudy days are unfavorable to the 

 hatching of the eggs ; the sunshine seems to be needed with its greater heat. In 

 cloudy weather the flies or moths will be on the wing throughout all hours of the day, 

 thereby giving the birds and mosquito-hawks better opporruuiries to catch them. In 

 such weather the worms stay on the top side of the leaves throughout the day, and 

 conseqi^ntly are more readily seen and caught by their enemies; while in hot, fair 

 weather the moth is concealed during the day, and does its work in the twilight and 

 at night, when the birds and other enemies are at rest. The worms, too, of the first 

 crops seem to work or eat only in early and late parts of the day, and probably at 

 ni^ht ; generally from 8 or 9 o'clock a, m. till 4 or 5 o'clock p, m, they will be found 

 quiet on the under side of the leaves. It is the belief of the writer that continued 



